SECTION 2: SAFETY IN SCAFFOLDING

2.1 Fall prevention

2.1.1 General approach

During the scaffolding process, scaffolders will normally be faced with a potential fall from height hazard. It is essential that all practicable steps are taken to control this hazard and that the hierarchy of control is applied to the hazard management process.

In addition, access and egress to areas of a building or structure where scaffolding is to occur sometimes presents the hazard of a fall. Part of the task analysis process is to identify this and develop controls relating to the hazards.

Safety harnesses must be worn at all times when working on all scaffolds above 5.0m high. They are part of a scaffolder's personal protection equipment. If a safety harness is not being worn, the scaffolder is not adequately prepared to limit the harm that could result from a fall. Preparedness is wearing a harness and being able to secure the lanyard to an anchor point.

The following looks at the hierarchy of risk management options when scaffolding to comply with hazard management requirements (the procedures can be altered to suit any scaffold system).

2.1.2 Eliminating fall hazards

The nature of the scaffolding process means that eliminating the fall hazard will not be practicable in many cases. However, consideration must be given to this method before rejecting it. With good planning (including before you get to the site) you may use elimination as a means of keeping scaffolders free from the risk of a fall. Consider the following (this is not a complete list):

• What are you trying to achieve and for what purpose is the scaffold required? Can the risk of a fall be eliminated by changing the design of the scaffold or the procedure of the work to be carried out from the proposed scaffold?
• The preconstruction of all or part of the scaffold may be possible. The completed scaffold or scaffold components may then be moved into the final position by means of a crane or hoist.
• What about attaching scaffold platforms to a component of the permanent structure on the ground before the structural component is moved into the final position on the structure by means of a crane or hoist mechanism?
• If the scaffold is required you may still be able to eliminate fall risk at points in the scaffolding process, such as altering erection methods and working through a hatch deck when erecting guardrails to the next platform for instance.

Apart from the obvious legal and safety compliance benefits another advantage of eliminating hazards is that it usually leads to more productive and efficient methods of scaffolding.

2.1.3 Isolating fall hazards

Where elimination methods have been considered and discarded as impracticable, methods of isolating fall hazards should be considered. With good planning (including before you get to the site) you may use isolation as a means of keeping scaffolders free from the risk of a fall, including but not limited to the following examples.

1. The use of a power operated elevating work platforms (EWP) to reach areas at height (see figure 1). This is a particularly useful method for the construction of hanging and cantilevered scaffolds. Caution must be taken to ensure that the SWL of the platform is adhered to with regard to carrying of scaffolding equipment. See also AS 1418.10 Elevating Work Platforms, the Approved Code of Practice for Elevating Work Platforms and DOL guidelines.

Figure 1: Access by EWP

2. Scaffolders can adopt a method of progressively installing a guardrail from the level below before installing the work platform (see figure 2). The scaffolder can then enter the platform with the edge protection already in place. It is acceptable to preinstall a single top rail from below and complete the mid rail and other components from the platform.

Figure 2: Progressive guardrail installation method

3. Advance guardrail systems can be used to provide edge protection to scaffold platforms until the scaffolders have installed the permanent guardrail (see figure 3). These systems are designed with uprights or stanchions that attach to the scaffold standards and telescopic rails that allow each stanchion to be moved up to the next platform level while the scaffolder remains within the completed platform below. All platforms guarded by temporary proprietary guardrail systems must be fully planked from below before scaffolders move up to that level to install the platform guardrails.

Figure 3: Advanced guardrail system

2.1.4 Minimising fall hazards

Minimisation of fall hazards must be considered only as a last resort. Minimisation techniques will not eliminate or isolate the hazard, but are designed to protect workers from the harmful effects that could occur. These methods usually have some impact on the mobility and productivity of the scaffolder as well as requiring higher levels of supervision.

Minimisation can include but is not limited to, one or a combination of:

• Training and inductions.
• Ensuring only highly experienced scaffolders undertake the lead build position.
• Working from fully planked platforms.
• Safety nets.
• Fall arrest systems.

Two main approaches to minimising fall hazards are taken in the scaffolding industry. Firstly, the optimum erection and dismantling procedure is employed. This is known as "the tunnelling method" and is outlined below. Secondly, safety harnesses must be worn by all scaffolders when working on all scaffolds above 5.0m high so that fall arrest systems can be accessed (see figure 4). Note that safety harnesses with a 1.8m lanyard connected to a scaffold below 5.0m high will not arrest your fall before hitting the ground or supporting structure.

Figure 4: Scaffolders employing fall arrest systems

2.1.5 The "tunnelling method" for minimising fall risk

The standard erection and dismantling procedure for minimising fall risk is to install a single guardrail on the deck above as soon as possible. This is known as the "tunnelling method". This method not only protects the scaffolder but provides a safe platform for others to use during alteration or dismantling. The "tunnelling method" does not add any additional equipment to a scaffold other than a single guardrail on non working platforms. The process is as follows:

• Base out the scaffold and butt plank the base lift (675mm minimum) from below.
• Ladders or stairs should be erected in the same sequence as the platform.
• The scaffolder then climbs onto the planked deck (675mm minimum) using the ladder or stairs.
• Once you are standing on the base lift you can only move along the scaffold the maximum length of your longest ledger (horizontal), i.e. 6.5m for tube.
• Your first priority is to install a single guardrail as soon as possible.
• Equipment is passed to the scaffolder to install the first section of guardrail and/or stop end.
• The scaffolder must hook his/her harness to the inside ledger at foot level before any fittings are attached when working above 5.0m high.
• Staggered standards assist in installing the guardrail as this reduces the need to hemp all exterior standards to connect the guardrail to.
• The scaffolder must hook his/her harness to the inside ledger before hemping any standards on a unguardrailed platform above 5.0m high
• Scaffolders must adopt a method of progressively installing a single guardrail as they move from one end of the scaffold to the other. Once you have erected a single guardrail and a stop end you have created a safe zone to work from. All equipment should be received from below in this safe zone then walked out along the scaffold.
• Single guardrails should be left in place on all non working platforms (dummy lifts) to provide a safe environment for altering and dismantling the scaffold.
• Once a single guardrail is installed the lift can be completed without the use of a safety harness - for the rest of that particular lift.
• If you need to raise the planks that you are standing on once you have completed the lift, you must hook your harness to the inside ledger above when raising the planks to prevent falling into the void you have just created.
• The erection procedures above should be used in reverse when dismantling the scaffold.
• It is recommended that the planks be flipped up on their edge prior to removal to protect the eyes of the scaffolder from debris left on the scaffold. This can be done from the deck level itself if one plank only at a time is lifted up onto its edge then replaced to maintain the planked deck.

The procedure above can be applied to all scaffolds. Each type of scaffold has its own requirements but the general "tunnelling method" must be followed.

2.2 Harness systems

Given that fall risk can not always be avoided fall arrest systems must also be employed. Such systems are based around harnesses by which scaffolders are connected to fall arrest devices. With the large selection of belts and harnesses available, it is essential that the correct harness is chosen for the intended use. In particular belts are not suitable for any kind of fall arrest. However, full body harnesses designed for fall arrest may incorporate belts that can be used for work positioning or restraint. Belts that incorporate tool frogs may also be useful and there may be requirements for full body harnesses to accommodate attachments for abseiling, confined space entry, rescue, etc.

When correctly fitted, harnesses should be firm but comfortable. You should be able to slide your hand between the webbing and your body but no more.

2.2.1 When to use anchor points

As described earlier hooking on harnesses does not provide fall protection on scaffolds below 5.0m high or when you can sustain a fall less than 5.0m. Thus in these circumstances the scaffolder is not required to hook the harness to any anchor point. The tunnelling method outlined above should still be used in the scaffold process, however just omit the use of the safety harness.

In all situations other than as described immediately above scaffolders must hook onto the first available anchor point that is at 5.0m or above when:

• Working on an unguardrailed platform.
• Not working within a 675mm wide planked area.
• Climbing up and down the scaffold structure.
• Working directly off the un-planked scaffold structure.
• Hemping.
• Working over a void area.
• Working on a hanging scaffold.
• Working on a cantilever scaffold.

2.2.2 How to use anchor points

Scaffolders should avoid attaching to the scaffold whenever possible. If this is unavoidable you must consider the stability of the scaffold structure with regard to its ability to sustain a fall arrest loading. Safety harnesses should be attached to anchor points on the scaffold above shoulder height. Only if a satisfactory anchor point is not available may it be attached below shoulder height.

Always clip to the following in preferential sequence:

• Transoms supported by the ledgers above shoulder height (connect to the transom or putlog between the ledgers).
• Ledgers supported with load bearing couplers (R/A couplers) above shoulder height.
• Guardrails supported with load bearing couplers (R/A couplers).
• Standards if approved anchor points are known (manufacturers' specifications).
• Transoms supported with load bearing couplers (R/A couplers).
• Never hook on to:
• Standards - unless approved anchor points are known (per manufacturer's specifications).
• Ledgers supported by single couplers.
• Ledgers or guardrails within a bay that has a join.
• Transoms below foot level.
• Transoms under slung below ledgers.

The procedure above can be applied to all scaffolds. Each individual type of scaffold has its own requirements but the general procedure must be followed.

2.3 Work positioning systems

A work positioning system is a system that enables a person to work supported in a harness in tension in such a way that a fall is prevented (see AS/NZS 1891.1). Work positioning systems should be designed and rigged to allow a person to work safely and in reasonable comfort.

2.4 Travel restriction/restraint systems

A travel-restriction/restraint system consists of a harness connected by a line to an anchorage. The system should be rigged in such a way that it will stop a worker reaching a position from which a free fall is possible. If a free fall is possible, a fall-arrest system including a harness must be used, not a travel-restriction system.

Equipment should be adjusted to reduce the restrained fall to the absolute minimum. This must be less than 600mm.

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